The first panel session will feature four of Australia’s leading chefs including Dan Hunter (Brae Restaurant), Guy Grossi (Grossi Restaurant Group), Richard Ousby (Appetite for Excellence 2011 Young Chef winner) and Jo Barrett (Oakridge Wines), who will share their career stories and insights into their culinary successes. 

The second panel discussion will focus on front-of-house with Danielle Gjestland (Wasabi Restaurant & Bar Noosa), Kylie Javier Ashton (Momofuku Seiobo), Lisa van Haandel (Byron Bay Hotel), and Marilyn Annecchini (Pilu Group) talking about the art of hospitality and being a successful restaurateur. 

Presented in collaboration with Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), this Inspired Series talk will take place over brunch, with a menu showcasing Australian seafood and an informative presentation on sustainability in Australia’s seafood industry and what industry needs to know about sourcing seafood in an informed and sustainably responsible way.

The Inspired Series program talks provide young chefs and hospitality program students and professionals with the chance to hear from leaders in the industry and be inspired about their future in hospitality. 

“This is an opportunity for hospitality students and young people in the early stages of their professional careers to hear from some of Australia’s most successful industry leaders. It is wonderful to be able to give back to the industry that has served us so well and encourage and nurture the next generation through these talks where we discuss all aspects, the good and the bad, of working in an industry that requires dedication and commitment but which can reap rich rewards for those that put in the hard work”,  says Luke Mangan.

The Inspired Series has held events in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Noosa, visiting young chefs and students from TAFE, hospitality training institutes and secondary colleges. Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana), Brett Graham (The Ledbury), Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park), Peter Gilmore (Quay and Bennelong) and Josh Niland (Saint Peter and The Fish Butchery) have taken part in past events.

The Inspired Series talk will take place at Luke’s Kitchen, 8 Danks Street, Waterloo NSW 2017 on Wednesday, 7 August 2019 from 10:30am – 11:45am. 

This free event is open to commercial cookery and hospitality students, their teachers, and, young chef and hospitality professionals. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Register to attend via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/527842

For more information on The Inspired Series, visit the website: https://www.lukemangan.com/develop/theinspiredseries/